GUILDOWNER’S MANUAL

GUILDOWNER’S MANUAL

Commitment to Craftsmanship

Musician and instrument retailer Alfred Dronge founded Guild in New York in the early 1950s. The first guitars from his small workshop were handmade with expensive rare woods, costly lacquers, and the thorough attention to detail that could only come from an experienced musician.

Today Guild guitars are still handmade, using properly aged, carefully selected tonewoods. Quality, innovation, and service are still the paramount goals of the entire Guild staff. Our builders and craftsmen take extreme pride in every guitar which bears the storied Guild logo on its headstock.

moisture Content & humidity

Because wood is organic and porous, it is affected by changes in the amount of moisture it contains. Every guitar owner should pay constant attention to the conditions and environment in which the guitar is kept in order to avoid issues; this is especially true if you own an acoustic instrument!

Protection from temperature & humidity

The greatest natural threat to a guitar is rapid changes in environmental temperature and/or humidity. A guitar’s woods are susceptible to these changes, regardless of how long the wood has been aged or seasoned. High humidity can soften the glues used in building an instrument and can cause the top and back to expand and rise, raising string action too high. Flat-top acoustic guitars are especially at risk with this phenomenon. On the other

hand, a dry, low-humidity climate (whether hot or cold) can cause evaporation of moisture from the wood, leading to shrinking and cracking. String action can become too low and intonation can be compromised if the top and back shrink enough.

The ideal temperature for solid-wood acoustic guitars is normal room temperature, which is about 70ºF (21.1ºC), and the ideal humidity level is between 40-50% RH. In winter, the heating systems used in many homes can drive temperatures up and humidity levels dangerously low for guitars. Similarly, in the summer time, air conditioning units have the same effect as a dehumidifier, and can potentially damage an acoustic instrument. It is important to remember that just because the room temperature is comfortable (and safe for your guitar) the relative humidity may NOT fall within the desired 40-50% range. As such, it is important to accurately monitor the relative humidity of the environment in which the guitar is usually kept. 2 3

General maintenance

It is important to keep your Guild guitar or bass clean. After each playing session, clean your guitar by wiping down the fingerboard, strings, and other parts (tuners, pickguard, etc.) with a clean, soft, dry cloth.

Most of your instrument has a protective finish, but some in some areas, the wood remains raw and needs additional attention. One such area is the fingerboard; when changing the strings, consider treating your guitar to a fingerboard conditioner to keep the wood hydrated. We recommend oiling or conditioning the fretboard at least once a year, and some guitars may benefit from more frequent applications – this helps preserve its integrity, smooth feel, and natural beauty. Please note that over long periods of time, the materials used on the majority of commercially available guitar stands and wall hangers can harm the finish on your Guild

We strongly recommend using a hygrometer for this purpose. Whenever you are using home heating or air conditioning, protect your guitar from drying out by using a room humidifier set to maintain a 40-50% RH, and/or by keeping your guitar in its case with a guitar humidifier inside.

When your guitar is not in use, it is best to keep it in its case along with a small guitar humidifier. Do not leave your instrument in any situation in which you yourself would not be comfortable, such as inside a hot or cold vehicle, next to a radiator, or in direct sunlight.

Please note: Damage such as cracks in the wood and finish checking (small finish cracks which are the result of exposure to fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity) will not be covered under the Guild warranty.

guitar. This type of damage is NOT covered under the Guild Limited Lifetime Warranty. Please consult the instructions and specifications on the guitar stand and/or wall hanger in question for details.

truss rod adjustment

String tension exerts a tremendous amount of force on the neck of a guitar. Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can also cause the neck of the guitar to slightly move or bow. All Guild guitars have an adjustable truss rod running the length of the neck that counteracts the tension created by the strings, strengthens the neck, and also ensures straightness. A truss rod wrench is included with your guitar for adjusting this feature.

A truss rod that is too loose will result in a concave neck bow, and action that is too high. Conversely, a truss rod that is

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too tight will result in a convex neck bow, action that is too low, and fret buzz. Keep in mind that moving the truss rod even a fraction of an inch can make a huge difference in the guitar’s playability.

Depending on the model, truss rod adjustments on Guild guitars are made either beneath the truss-rod cover on the headstock (figure 1) or inside the soundhole at the other end of the neck (figure 2).

Over time, your instrument may experience slight movements that may require an adjustment in order to optimize playability. If you are inexperienced or unsure about how to make a truss rod adjustment, we strongly suggest having your Guild dealer or Authorized Service Center walk you through the process in person, as several variables need to be considered for successful results.

To locate Authorized Guild Service Centers, please contact your Guild dealer, visit the Guild website (www.guildguitars.com) or contact the Guild Customer Service Department at 1-800-586-1180 or service@guildguitars.com.

For other support documentation, visit the “Support” page of the Guild website at www.guildguitars.com/support.

Servicing your Guitar

New guitars typically have a settling-in period during which adjustments may be necessary. Furthermore, many players have personal setup preferences that may require slight adjustments from the guitar’s factory settings. Many experienced guitar players have learned to make their own truss rod or action adjustments when needed. However, if you are new to the guitar or would prefer not to make these adjustments yourself, bring the instrument to your nearest Guild dealer or Authorized Service Center for inspection and adjustments. If major service is required, please contact your local Authorized Service Center.

fi gure 1

fi gure 2

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Guild Instrument limited lifetime warranty Guild Guitars warrants this instrument to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for as long as it is owned by the original retail purchaser. Electronic components, hardware, cases and case hardware are warranted for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. This warranty cannot be transferred to subsequent owners and applies exclusively to instruments purchased from an Authorized Guild Dealer.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE RETAIN YOUR ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT, AS IT IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE VALIDATING THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.

If you need warranty service, the Guild Dealer from whom you purchased your instrument may be authorized for warranty repairs and should be the first point of contact. To inquire about warranty service, bring your instrument to an Authorized Guild Service Center, with your sales receipt as proof of

purchase.

Defective components that qualify for coverage under this warranty will be repaired or replaced (at Guild’s discretion) without charge. If upon inspection the issues are determined to not be covered under the Guild warranty, alternative repair options will be offered to the owner.

All transportation, insurance and freight charges associated with warranty service and repairs on Guild instruments are the responsibility of the owner. Initial standard setup and adjustment of the instrument and its components at the time of purchase are considered normal Dealer product preparation, and are not covered by this warranty.

LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

The following items are not covered by this warranty:

1. Fret wear, saddle wear, nut wear, strings and batteries.

2. Setups, adjustments or routine maintenance of any kind.

3. Damage to finishes or

cracks, splitting, or warpage of wood due to changes in temperature or humidity, exposure to or contact with heaters, air conditioning units, sun, fire, moisture, perspiration, body salts and acids, guitar straps, guitar stands/hangers made from vinyl, plastic, rubber or other synthetic materials, any other chemicals or polishes not designed for the finish on your instrument.

4. Damage, corrosion or rusting of any hardware components caused by humidity, salty air, or exposure to perspiration.

5. Any damage to an instrument resulting from customization or modification.

6. Normal wear and tear on any part of the instrument or case

7. All other damage and deterioration due to normal usage, wear and tear, aging, accidents, neglect, abuse, or Acts of Nature.

8. Any instrument, whose serial number is missing, altered or tampered with in any fashion.

9. Any instrument purchased

from anyone other than an Authorized Guild Dealer.

10. Instruments that have been serviced by unauthorized persons (any person other than a Guild Certified Technician at an Authorized Guild Service Center).

This warranty applies only to Guild instruments purchased and serviced within the U.S.A., its territories and Canada. Warranties for Guild instruments purchased or permanently relocated outside of the U.S.A, its territories and Canada will be directed to an authorized distributor or dealer importing Guild instruments into their respective territories, and may vary from the above in terms and/or length.

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Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Email:

Date of Purchase:

Place of Purchase:

Purchase Price:

Receipt/Invoice # (please include copy):

Model:

Serial Number:

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register your guildRegister your new Guild instrument and sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest Guild news, events, & promotions!

We encourage you to register your new Guild online at guildguitars.com, but you may also mail a copy of this page to us along with a copy of your proof of purchase. Please save your original documents in a safe place.

Guild Guitars Attn: Customer Service 1401 Stellar DriveOxnard, CA 93033-2458United States of America

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